The Serpent's Song Read online

  Vette, listening carefully, responded, “Morgan, I had no idea the harp had such an illustrious history. Angi, I’m still fascinated, what areas of the health system do you think would do best with harp music?”

  Angi thought for a few moments and replied, “As I recall, it is being proposed for nurseries, intensive care units especially for neonatal babies, operating rooms, cancer clinics, and hospices. Apparently, there is some interesting work being done on non-responsive and comatose patients and there is evidence it helps those with Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and children with learning and behavioural disorders. Perhaps one day it will become a regular part of all health centers.”

  Speaking quietly, the team pressed against the railing to get the full effect of the music.

  Morgan, whispering, continued, “In this magical kingdom it’s hard to know if my diversion to this place was coincidental or planned. It certainly supports Myttrwn’s class material. By the way can you see Sirona? She’s sitting in that far corner. Maybe it’s a rehearsal for some royal event.”

  No sooner had Morgan mentioned her name when Sirona looked up, smiled, and signaled the group to join her. The music continued.

  As quiet as they could manage, the six eased their way down to the first level and around an inner courtyard to where Sirona was sitting. By the time they reached her, chairs had been assembled for them to enjoy the rest of the performance. With no comment they sat mesmerized as the musical program continued. The students smiled at their enthusiastic clapping of appreciation when the music stopped.

  Knowing their thoughts Sirona replied, “The students are rehearsing for a special ceremony of the House of Learning later this month. Three times a year the House of Learning identifies those students ready for their initiation in the pyramid. For some time students have been working hard to ready themselves for this testing. Not all succeed on their first try. So, this music is not only to mark the importance of the occasion but to give their classmates encouragement. I never thought of this before, but do any of you have a musical background?”

  “I play the harp,” said Angi, “just like the one the students are playing. As a child I performed in community musical concerts but nothing of late.”

  “I play the violin and piano,” replied Vette, “and have performed with my family at Acadian festivals and other community events when I was younger.”

  “I play the violin,” said Morgan, “and have played it in a professional musical group at clubs in Boston.”

  “I play the electric guitar,” said Wolfram, “and have played in the same musical group and clubs as Morgan.”

  “I play the violin and bagpipes,” said Andrew, “mainly playing the bagpipes in the military. My violin playing has been for personal pleasure and I have participated in choral group singing when time permitted.”

  “I also play the violin,” said Bryce, “and like all good Welshmen, enjoy singing.”

  “I had no idea you were so multitalented,” replied Sirona. “Why don’t I introduce you to our Music Director, Carola? Perhaps you can join her in preparing some musical piece before you leave. I’m not sure we have all of your instruments but that can be remedied.” Sirona signaled the Director to join the group.

  Before Carola arrived, Morgan whispered to Wolfram, “This is fantastic…….. If we can find a few more musicians in Dylan’s group and maybe persuade a few of the harpists to join us, we could create a fantastic group of musicians. I’ll work on a catchy name.”

  Wolfram with a broad grin turned to Morgan and whispered back, “I know what you’re thinking Morgan. But when do you think we’ll find practice time with our already jammed schedules? Never mind, I know you………… you are already way down the road with a musical group performing for the Queen. Dream on old buddy.”

  Carola was as tall as Sirona but seemed older. Her curly blond hair hung freely to her shoulders, circling an oblong face with intense blue eyes. It was obvious Sirona had telepathically alerted her to the musical talent from Earth as her first greeting was, “Well, who plays the harp?”

  “I do,” replied Angi, “and, I believe, it is similar to the one your students have. However, my two harps are back home; a student one and a golden harp.” Then she thought to herself, “If I’m going to play again I’ll have to grow my fingernails.”

  The golden harp triggered Sirona to ask, “Angi can you describe this golden harp?”

  “It’s very old, about the same size as the student harps but with deeply engraved gold on the outer shaft of the harp with different gemstones at various points. The strings are of gold and silver. It was given to me by my harp teacher, Albert Aucoin, who in his parting comments said that I would need it ‘to play to the Lords of Anu.’ I have no idea what he meant by that statement, and still don’t.”

  The description caused Sirona and Carola to quickly glance at each other. Sirona spoke, “Angi does your golden harp look anything like this?” At that moment Sirona, like Myttrwn, conjured up a holographic harp of exquisite beauty, one that seemed to precisely fit Angi’s description.

  “Mine had a slight dent on the lower back corner,” said Angi who was startled at seeing Mr. Aucoin’s harp floating in front of her.

  Sirona turned the harp to show Angi and said, “Like this?”

  “That’s amazing,” replied Angi, “it’s identical. But mine is back in a Canadian bank vault.” Confused she added, “I don’t understand.”

  “We’ll chat later,” said Sirona, and she thought to herself, “This is astounding.”

  For the first time since they met Sirona, the rest of the team witnessed a surprised look on her face when the golden harp was mentioned. They too wondered what it meant but were pulled back into a conversation with Carola.

  To their relief Carola spoke English. Knowing their thoughts she said, “I was one of the extras chosen to learn English when the mission to Gaia was first mentioned. Now I know why. As for you Angi we’ll have no problem getting you a harp, it’s the other instruments that may take some work. However, all is not lost, let me call Lud over.” With that she must have somehow signaled the student for he appeared instantly. Carola continued, “Lud is our expert in creating musical instruments in our replicating machine. He knows a bit of English, so I’ll stay around if any translations are needed. We will have to move quickly. Can one or more of you remain today to describe a violin and electric guitar to Lud. If we can create the instruments and get some music we will be well on our way. Sirona, is there any possibility you might be able to obtain more detailed information from Gaia, if that’s possible?”

  “I’ll talk to Myttrwn and see what we can do,” replied Sirona.

  Turning back to the group she continued, “While we’re working on the instruments I would like you to think of a musical piece that you all can play. I’ll arrange to give you some help with your practice sessions. How about that?” was Carola’s matter-of-fact response. Like all musicians, she was intrigued with the prospect of playing different music.

  “I’ll check if there are any more musicians in the rest of the team,” was Morgan’s quick response. “Right now Wolfram and I will stay behind and work with Lud.”

  The lively departing chatter indicated that the idea seemed to appeal to all of the musicians.

  Sirona left the group to attend to other duties. As she walked towards the House of Life she thought to herself, “This I must share with Myttrwn at once, especially the possible discovery of the long lost Harp of Dana. Myttrwn was right in his earlier assessment, these people from Earth are resilient and amazing. After months of knowing them I am just discovering that most of them are also musicians. I wonder what else I have yet to learn.”

  * * *

  House of Life

  “Angi is a greater mystery than I first thought,” was Myttrwn’s response when informed of the possible where-a-bouts of the ancient, lost Harp of Dana. “Sirona, you know the prophecy. This harp was to appear around this time, but we were
certain it would be in our kingdom. Let’s reserve any judgement until we are certain it’s truly the lost harp. If true, it certainly adds another wrinkle to this venture. Has Angi ever played this golden harp?”

  “She informed me her harp teacher, an elderly man, gave her this gift when she was a young girl. On that one occasion she played a musical selection under his careful guidance. He must have thought her capable of playing such an exquisite instrument. Then, according to my brief discussion with Angi, the instrument, because of the gold and gemstones, was carefully stored away by her grandmother. There it remained as Angi embarked on a very different career than music.”

  “Did she tell you anything about this music teacher?” asked Myttrwn, searching for clues as to how an ancient treasure from their kingdom ended up on Gaia.

  “The details are hazy. She said that this Albert Aucoin, a native of France, was a descendant of a group of Irish exiled to that country sometime in the 1600s. Over the centuries the Irish married into French society, some preserving their great love of harp music. Perhaps the Irish in the 1600s took the Harp of Dana with them for safe keeping. The connection with the Irish is fascinating don’t you think? As I recall, one possibility was that the harp had been given to an Irish king.”

  “That’s true, particularly if that king had been a gifted harpist. Yet, it will be difficult to trace the historic route of such a small item on Gaia during its Kali Yuga. But still, it’s not by chance that a harp of this quality turns up in the hands of Angi who was also the inheritor of an ancient medallion. Mark my word, Sirona, these events are connected. By the way, where is the harp now?”

  “According to Angi it is resting safely in a bank vault in her hometown, a small city on an island in a country called Canada.” As she spoke she brought up a map of North America pointing out the location on the Atlantic coast.

  “We must inform the Queen when she returns from her trip. But I have even more to tell you about our Angi.”

  “More………..I knew something was up, you have been locked away in your private lab for days.”

  “Sirona, you and I have had a number of training sessions with Angi. I’m certain you’ve noticed that I have been gently pushing her well beyond what she should be capable of performing at this early stage of her training. What has amazed me is that each time she seems to reach into some natural reservoir and, following my instructions, does precisely what is requested, however slowly or hesitantly. Under normal circumstances a student at this level should be unable to perform such tests. Yet, Angi continues to carry out increasingly complex maneuvers as if it’s natural to her. Intrigued, I began to search for an answer to this anomaly if for no other reason than to revise my training program for her. After a number of extensive tests I think I may have found the answer.”

  Sirona had never seen Myttrwn like this, he was almost excited. Wanting to share in the discussion she added her own observation, “When I first met Angi, I was also surprised by her quick response to what I knew was a foreign science to her.”

  “Sirona, do you remember when this group arrived, I kept saying there was something odd about Angi’s genetic profile? I originally dismissed it thinking it was just something unique to Angi. But with her ease in performing these tests I decided to bypass her DNA and examine her vibrational profile. There I made the most amazing discovery. It’s a pattern that I’ve never encountered before, and that’s saying something for me. I believe it is this feature which allows her to instinctively respond to my requests. Somehow, she has either been born with this preprogramming or acquired it through wearing the medallion. Considering the randomization of her family’s history I must believe it’s the medallion. But that concept gets immediately challenged as it has never turned up with any previous medallion wearer. As you are my witness, Angi seems oblivious of this or even her special status as the wearer of the medallion. However, the addition of this golden harp, if true, introduces another dimension. We may have stumbled into an entirely different scenario than the one we originally thought.”

  “Am I sensing that this new information may change this venture?” asked Sirona.

  “If I’m right, it could definitely complicate the challenges that may lie ahead and could introduce a number of perplexing unknowns. Prepare yourself, we might be working with some lofty players. But first, to reassure me that my assumptions are on track, today I am going to push Angi even further. She’s expected momentarily. I will need you to continue to be my witness.”

  Within minutes Angi emerged from the lab elevator. Smiling, she walked towards her two mentors with a cheery greeting, “It’s a beautiful day and I’m ready for my next lesson.” Receiving only smiles, she continued. “I expect Sirona has informed you of my harp playing?” Intuitively, Angi registered a change in her two mentors but could not decipher its meaning. She had grown accustomed to their stoic personalities. Deep down she trusted them and knew she needed their help to master the medallion. Dismissing her intuitive feelings she readied herself for her training session.

  “Yes, she has,” replied Myttrwn, casually, “Perhaps we’ll find time at the end of today’s lesson to chat about your harp music and this golden harp.”

  “Good, I’d like that,” came Angi’s response attaching little importance to the matter.

  Myttrwn, as was his custom, began the session by explaining what the day’s activities might include. “Today Angi, we will focus on two topics; time and levitation. Until now we’ve concentrated on some basic steps with regard to the properties of each gemstone and with a few gemstone combinations. So far, you have demonstrated skill in moving and changing small objects. Now we will progress to a different stage.”

  “Great, time has always fascinated me,” replied Angi.

  “Angi, you will recall that in our group session I said that time is an illusion. Again I repeat, there is neither past nor future but one eternal moment……….. your eternal moment. So, if that is the case, then you should be able to alter time especially with the help of your medallion. You are simply working with a single program.” Instantly, without stopping to take a breath, he conjured up a simple clock with large white numbers on a black background. Then he continued, “I’m providing you with this clock to help you see what is happening as you perform these experiments.”

  “That’s helpful,” was Angi’s only comment.

  “Let’s begin,” replied Myttrwn, accepting Angi’s momentary uncertainty as her normal response to something new. “As before, Angi, I want you to focus on your medallion, this time concentrate on the two blue gemstones; the sapphire and the Stone of Atlantis.”

  Angi sat on one of the three stools at the small table in Myttrwn’s private quarters. Following Myttrwn’s instruction, she closed her eyes to visualize the gemstones and then, as before, combined the colours, this time into a single blue light which encircled her body. Ready, she awaited his next instructions.

  In a monotone, Myttrwn continued. “Angi, it is now two o’clock. With your thoughts, I want you to move time fifteen minutes into the future. Concentrate Angi, visualize the minutes ticking away,” came his encouraging words.

  Momentarily, Angi fought her old linear thinking, something that always popped up to restrict her progress. Blocking these thoughts, she held her medallion, making a silent command to the cosmos, “Time, I want to move fifteen minutes into the future.” She visualized the clock numbers changing 2:05……. 2:10……. 2:15. Still she waited before opening her eyes. To her delight the clock read 2:15. Her immediate reaction was, “Wow, I did it………I actually shifted time with my thoughts. Wait till I tell the others.”

  Telepathically Myttrwn said to Sirona, “While Angi is supposedly at Level 1, she has just performed a Level 4 skill. To be sure, I’ll retest.”

  Calmly he continued, “Now, Angi, let’s do a similar test. I want you to shift time one hour into the future so the clock will register 3:20. Follow the same pattern as you did with the fifteen minutes only concentra
te more.”

  Angi had decided early in her training not to interrupt her training sessions with too many questions especially when Myttrwn was in the midst of a new skill. Following an identical path, and clutching her medallion, she clearly enunciated each word to herself, “Time, on my command, move ahead one hour to 3:20.” Again she visualized the time moving swiftly forward. When she opened her eyes this time the clock registered 3:20. Pleased with her success she blurted out, “This is fantastic………. I’ve actually shifted time one hour. Myttrwn, does this time shift also affect the world around me? The room seems the same. I expect there is a great deal of scientific detail I have yet to learn. Nevertheless, I’m beginning to enjoy my new found abilities.”

  Telepathically, Myttrwn said to Sirona, “That settles it. Somehow she has some innate ability to master this medallion. She still needs guidance but at a very different level than I first contemplated. At this rate she could complete her training in one trip. This is truly amazing!” And to his student he said calmly, “Angi, you have done well today. While this is just two simple time experiments, later we’ll do more complex tests to strengthen this skill. And yes, I will, in time, be giving you in-depth scientific information to explain what you are doing. Now, let’s move on. For the next test I need you to step free of all furniture as I want you to rise two feet above the floor and stay there for a count of ten before descending. To do this, you will need to combine all the gemstone colours in your medallion creating a rainbow, then, as before, command the cosmos to let you levitate. A cautionary note, Angi, do not break your concentration until you feel your feet firmly back on the floor. Do you have any questions?”